56 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
This cruel charge was faithfully executed. While the 
troops ravaged the island, burned the villages, and massa¬ 
cred the inhabitants, the guns of the vessel were brought 
to bear upon those who attempted to escape to the main 
land. Several large canoes, filled with natives, by these 
means were sunk. In one of these was the widow of Tam- 
simalo, who had embarked with the hope of reaching the 
Bay of Antongil, but in spite of every exertion a shot 
reached her boat. The widow and many of her attendants 
were killed, and the rest made prisoners. Among these 
was Betia, who was immediately taken to the Isle of 
France, where she fully justified herself before the council, 
by making it appear that her connexion with Grosse had 
endangered her life, and that she would no longer have 
been safe at St. Mary’s, having forfeited, in consequence of 
favouring the French, and so repeatedly exerting herself to 
save them, the affection and confidence of the people. The 
council, convinced of her innocence, sent her back to Foule 
Pointe with many costly presents, and with a strict charge 
to use all her influence to bring about a better understand¬ 
ing between the people of Foule Pointe and the French. 
Negociations of the character proposed were much needed; 
for the people, alarmed at the late events in St. Mary’s, 
had taken refuge in the interior of the island, and all com¬ 
merce was consequently at an end. On account of the 
talents and influence of this extraordinary woman, she was 
deemed the most efficient agent that could be employed in 
such an undertaking; and the better to accomplish her 
purpose, she took with her Bigorne, who has already been 
mentioned as a soldier in the East India Company’s service, 
and who was a man of intelligence, of a good understanding, 
and active habits. 
Bigorne, who was enabled to acquire a knowledge of the 
